GOP senator in VA, foe seeking gay vote

Washington Post
October 3, 2007
Republican incumbent Jeannemarie Devolites Davis and Democratic challenger J. Chapman Petersen practically fell over each other to win votes at a debate Thursday sponsored by Equality Fairfax, a nonpartisan group that seeks to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. "Everybody is equal," Davis told the small gathering in the sanctuary of the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia. "Everybody should be treated with respect." When asked about a state constitutional ban on gay and lesbian couples' marriages approved by referendum last year, Petersen said, "The amendment was gratuitous." [link]